Biodiversa pilot extension

These pilot studes address urgent challenges in biodiversity monitoring, focusing on soil biodiversity and invasive alien species. Soils are home to nearly 60% of known species and play a critical role in ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling and pest control. However, the impact of global change on soil biodiversity is not well understood due to limited long-term data. The pilot study aims to establish a large-scale soil biodiversity monitoring scheme, standardizing experimental designs and protocols, and evaluating key indicators such as Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs). A notable feature is the integration of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to enhance species detection and identification.

Alongside, the pilot on invasive alien species tackles the growing threat posed by over 3,500 harmful invasive alien species worldwide. It develops scalable, image-based monitoring methods using car-mounted cameras for plants and AMI camera-enabled light traps for insects. These modules employ computer vision and deep learning for rapid identification, supporting early detection and improved data workflows.

Eurac Research coordinates the soil pilot, manages data analysis, workshops, and reporting, and participates in the IAS pilot. The project also fosters knowledge exchange through partnerships and aligns with broader European biodiversity initiatives, ultimately informing policy and guiding future large-scale monitoring efforts.